Spring brings exciting bird migrations as the raptors, waterfowl, and smaller birds begin their long flight to and from Canada. Paradise becomes a busy place starting mid-March as the snow begins to melt and birds and Bird Watchers start to arrive. The spring migration lasts for about 2 months and is monitored at the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. Photo opportunities are everywhere.

There are a number of nice facilities for camping: Andrus Lake State Forest Campground, Bodi Lake state Forest Campground, the Lower Tahquamenon Falls State Park Campground, the Mouth of Tahquamenon River State Park Campground , or the Mouth of the Two-Hearted River State Forest Campground..

"Tahquamenon Falls is the second largest state park in Michigan, encompassing more than 47,000 acres. It is home to the Upper Falls, where tannin-stained water tumbles over a nearly 50-foot drop spanning a width of 200 feet. Four miles downstream is the Lower Falls, a series of five small waterfalls, cascading around an island." Courtesy of the Tahquamenon State Park. West of Paradise on M-123. Distance from Paradise: Lower Falls 10 miles, Upper Falls 14 miles, Camping Reservations: 800-44PARKS Website: www.michigan.gov/tahquamenonfalls

The Paradise Pathway Cross-Country Ski Trail, off M123, makes two loops encompassing 6.3 miles of well-brushed and signed trail that is used both summer and winter, by skiers and hikers alike. Hundreds of miles of logging roads, which are not plowed in winter, are there for those who like to snowshoe. " Reflections on Paradise, 1989

Cross-Country skiing is so popular in the area that on Friday nights in February, the ski trail is lantern lit. Print out a copy of the snowmobile "Rules of the Road" to take with you.

Hike this 120 miles of prestine trails that is part of the National Scenic Trail. The Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter starts in St Ignace and winds beautifully as it goes through the Paradise Area. It's a great walk for day hikers, birder's, nature lovers, photographers,backpackers, and snowshoers/crosscountry skiiers alike and much more. Visit their site for more information and maps: Website: http://northcountrytrail.org

The cross country ski trails are groomed with a single classic track and snowshoers as well as skiers are welcome to explore off-trail anywhere in this park of some 50,000 acres. The Upper Falls Winter Trail Map includes snowmobile trails while the Lower Falls Winter Trail Map includes viewing decks 1 and 2. The six most popular hiking, ski, and snowshoe trails include: Clark Lake Loop (5.2 miles), River Trail (4.8 Miles), Emerson Trail (1 Mile), Nature Trail (.5 Mile), Wilderness Loop (7.4 Miles), and Giant Pines Loop (3.8 Miles).For information regarding the six most popular Hiking, Ski and Snowshoe Trails

Fishing/Hunting

There are no less then 17 fishing "holes" in the Paradise area as designated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. There can be no better experience then fishing off the pier, near the shore, or from a boat. "Hunters bag trophy white-tailed bucks, black bear, rabbits and partidges." Reflections on Paradise, 1989

Hike this 120 miles of prestine trails that is part of the National Scenic Trail. The Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter starts in St Ignace and winds beautifully as it goes through the Paradise Area. It#&39;s a great walk for day hikers, birder's, nature lovers, photographers,backpackers, and snowshoers/crosscountry skiiers alike and much more. Visit their site for more information and maps: Website: http://northcountrytrail.org

West of Paradise on M-123. There are some 40 miles of hiking in the Tahquamenon State Park. Hikers are encouraged to explore off the trails, but for an ideal description of popular trails and maps check this website . Camping reservations 800-44PARKS Website: www.michigan.gov/tahquamenonfalls

Tour #1 is 6 1/2 hour train and riverboat tour to the Tahquamenon Falls. Tour #2 is a 1 3/4 hour Toonerville Trolley Wilderness Train Ride. Open mid-June through early October. Visit us on the web at: www.trainandboattours.comemail soojunction@lighthouse.net

Snowmobiling

Paradise, Michigan, a picturesque town 60 miles north of St. Ignace on Highway M-123, is a welcoming haven for snowmobilers, skiers, and all winter sport attractions.

Paradise, Michigan, is the perfect spot for winter sports because it has an average of more than 200 inches of snow each year. The Paradise area also has more than 200 miles of painstakingly groomed and well-marked trails wending their way throughout the entire region. Once in Paradise, a winter sports enthusiast can travel in any direction and never use the same trail twice. You can easily travel to Tahqauamenon Falls, Newberry, Whitefish Point and back again. Chippewa and Luce counties have worked very hard to make sure that the experience offered to snowmobilers is an unequaled opportunity to see first hand wilderness beauty. Along the many trails you will often run into welcoming faces in the small communities that lie along the trails.

The Paradise area trail system connects to other trails that cross the entire Upper Peninsula. These interconnected trails can take you from the beauty of Tahquamenon Falls to the rugged shorelines of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. After your picture perfect journey through the wilderness, the Paradise Area offers comfortable lodging and accommodations to get a bite to eat or simply warm up with a hot beverage. The local residents make you feel welcome all along the way, a type of hospitality that you will experience throughout the Upper Peninsula.

If you start out traveling southwest from Paradise, you will soon come upon the Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The park is nearly 50,000 acres of wilderness beauty, 40 + miles of trails and is the home of the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. The park is open year-round and the winter scenes are ones you will treasure forever. With the snowfall and cold weather the park becomes a winter wonderland with snow and ice sculptures. Remember to pack your camera.

Whitefish Point is located north of the town of Paradise on Whitefish Point Road. Whitefish Point is home of the Whitefish Point Lighthouse and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The lighthouse started its operation in 1849 and remains as the oldest working lighthouse on Lake Superior. Since 1849, the lighthouse has signaled a change in course for ore carriers and other ships navigation through dangerous and treacherous waters to and from the Soo Locks.

We are certain that at the end of your winter visit here, you will walk away with wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Once someone experiences what winter sports are like in the Paradise area, they come back again and again. So, remember, when planning your winter trip to our beautiful area, make your reservations early. You will want to be able to stay overnight to really enjoy everything Paradise has to offer in winter sports and recreation. Planning in advance is strongly urges so that you won't miss out on a thing.

"Snowmobilers come for the Mardi-Gra-de-Snow in January, and two hundred fifty miles of groomed trails, said to be the finest in the state, plus hundreds of ungroomed trails for the adventurous. There have been snowmobilers having fun here from as far away as Maryland, Vermont, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. This area is called the "Snowmobile Capital of the U.P. " Paradise Pathway Cross-Country Ski Trail, off M123, makes two loops encompassing 6.3 miles of well-brushed and signed trail that is used both summer and winter, by skiers and hikers alike. Hundreds of miles of logging roads, which are not plowed in winter, are there for those who like to snowshoe. " Reflections on Paradise, 1989.

The trails in this area are maintained and groomed by the Paradise Area Night Riders association. On their website you will find regularly posted trail condition reports posted by those that have actually been on the trails. Click Like on their Facebook page to receive broadcasts directly to your Facebook Account. www.paradiseareanightriders.orgE-mail: nightrider@paradiseareanightriders.org